After being unable to perform in the backup role in the NHL, then struggling to find results in the American Hockey League, the Montreal Canadiens have reassigned goaltender Keith Kinkaid to the Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Les Canadiens de Montréal ont annoncé aujourd’hui avoir cédé le gardien Keith Kinkaid aux Checkers de Charlotte dans l’AHL.
The Montreal Canadiens today announced that goaltender Keith Kinkaid has been re-assigned to the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. pic.twitter.com/5wmupf8Sme
— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) February 29, 2020
Kinkaid’s presence in Laval had been causing a logjam, with prospect Michael McNiven relegated to the ECHL for much of the season. Now with Charlie Lindgren serving as Carey Price’s backup in Montreal, McNiven is back in Laval, the number-two netminder behind blue-chip prospect Cayden Primeau, who’s been handed a proper starter’s role in the past week.
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The Carolina organization was desperate for goaltenders, making a double recall of its AHL netminders after both NHL options were injured in a game against Toronto, forcing the insertion of emergency backup goalie David Ayres.
Kinkaid started five games with the Canadiens this season, posting a 1-1-3 record and an .875 save percentage. His AHL numbers have been similar, with a 3-7-3 record and just an .876 mark in the minor leagues. Charlotte, and Kinkaid himself, will hope time in a new organization can get his career back on track.
